Why call God Father?

1. Why call God Father? The question is one of language... a distinction between two different uses of language — analogy and metaphor.

2. Sometimes when we speak of God, we attribute to Him this characteristic or that, even if how He is or does is different from our ordinary use of that word. We call this way of talking about God analogy. We use analogy when talking about God as Father.

3. Other times when we speak of God, we liken Him to something, mentioning the similarities between God and what we compare him to… God really possesses the traits of the thing in question, without suggesting that is all that God is. We also use metaphor when defining God as father.

4. There is an intimacy in the word “father” that transcends metaphor or analogy. There is a quality about the father that attracts us, and it reflects a relationship Jesus himself had with God: In perhaps his most God-dependant moment Jesus used two words “Abba, Father”.

5. Luke 15:11-32 Jesus’ story explaining the Heart of the Father reminds us how intensely God desires a personal relationship with all his children.

6. Living a sinful life can be attractive and pleasant, but in the end it leads to physical destruction, spiritual despair, emotional distress and social isolation. The process of "coming to one's senses" is making a decision to return to the safety of the father. It is the decision that is important!

7. The father is waiting for his son to return home. He has never stopped waiting.The son cannot find true fulfilment away from home. The father knows this – and He waits.

8. The son’s motivation is shallow. He has no sincere sorrow. He is not upset by his own offensive behaviour. It is not even that he misses his father. He comes back to save himself. Does the Father care? Does his insist on proper contrition? Does he even pay attention to the son’s rehearsed speech?

9. The father is overjoyed that the son has begun the journey home, for whatever reason. The celebration begins! The meaning of the parable is clear. At its centre is the father’s heart. It is a story of acceptance and forgiveness – love.

10. Returning home the son does not expect – nor ask for – any gifts. The elder brother insists that the lost son does not deserve any gifts. The Father does argue with either son… The Prodigal deserves nothing. But the Father gives him everything.

11. We all need to return to God… He does not compel us, so it must be a personal decision. The father’s forgiveness is not gained words or acts. He was always waiting… There is nothing more to add.

12. The parable depicts God's amazing availability to forgive and restore us, his great love that accepts us, ignoring our status and independent of our past. It gives us courage to come to him without fear, and inherit personal communion with him – his wish for us.

13. “Abba”- warmth, affection, confidence, faith. God wants a relationship with each of his children, for we are all “lost” – Why not build on the fact that He has never given up on you, never demanded that you get it right… He just wants you back.